So Out of nowhere I get this craze

[clipperfan811]

To buy a motorcycle:

I've never seriously considered the option before only split second flirtations immediately drowned out by "it's a death wish are you freakin nuts!!"

Thing is, I recently sold my truck, thinking I could deal with the one car family thing... but sometimes I need to go a bit further than walking distance. I was going to buy a bicycle and I still might for exercise but a motorcycle could be a real interesting option for sporadic mostly local transportation.

I've had my eye on a few Honda Rebels selling locally, 250cc is not a heavy duty "macho" bike but for just under $1000 and not really knowing if this whole thing will stick I figure it's a great way to get on the saddle and learn on an easy to ride bike.

What can you OS bikers tell me about ridding?

[Crimsontide27]

Re: So Out of nowhere I get this craze

Best advice.....

1) No matter how good or how safe you think YOU are, you are only as safe as the WORST driver on the road.

People in autos do not pay attention to motorcycles that much and you have no protection in the case anything bad happens.

2) Always wear a helmet. Some states dont require helmets and mine is no different. I didnt wear anything until one day I got pulled over for no eye protection. After that I just got a pair of nice sunglasses. Few months later I was headed no less than 1 mile down the road to subway and couldnt find my sunglasses and since I didnt want a ticket, I put on my helmet. Less than 1/2 mile from my house a van pulled right out in front of me to cross lanes and I slammed into him at 40 mph. My head went right through the drivers window and my bike collapsed the van door in. That helmet saved my life. Dont be like me and be stupid and not wear one.

3) Take the Motorcycle safety course. Not only will it teach you to ride, but it will save money on your insurance. Any idiot can fly down the road fast, but controlling a bike while it is moving slow is much more difficult. Wait till you see how many people fail the figure 8s.

4) Buy insurance...buy insurance...buy insurance. State farm is the cheapest for me. I decided it wasnt worth it to pay $60 a month for full coverage because I was a good driver and a wreck wouldnt be my fault even if I got into one. I was correct in that form of thinking, but a theif decided he wanted my bike more than I wanted to insure it. Making that choice of not paying $60 a month for full coverage was a $7,000 mistake I wish I never made.

5) When stopped at a traffic light, dont put the bike in neutral and take a break. Ton of accidents happen where someone gets rear ended and it smashes you between cars. I have a habit of pulling in the extreme left or right hand side of the lane when stopped at a light just in case some form of rear ending happens, I am much less likely to get killed. Just a week or so ago a truck driver was distracted trying to get something off of his floorboard and ran over 6 motorcycles , killing 3 of them. This is far more common than it should be.

[GAMEC0CK2002]

Re: So Out of nowhere I get this craze

You have a need......A need for SPEED.

[raidersbball20]

Re: So Out of nowhere I get this craze

Honda Rebels are good to start on, but be prepared to get rid of it soon because once you get comfortable you are always looking for something with more power

[AUChase]

Re: So Out of nowhere I get this craze

I started with a Ninja 250 and now I have a CBR 600rr. I really don't have a desire to get a bigger bike, because 600cc is plenty fast.

Crimson gave some really good advice and there's not much left to be said.

[clipperfan811]

Re: So Out of nowhere I get this craze

Thanks Crimson:

I've looked into the Motorcycle safety course and I'm currently on the hunt for a decent helmet. I'm also considering a ALPINESTARS BIONIC SP VEST. I was talking to my mom's cousin who's been riding since he was a wee lad and he gave me almost the same advice you did.

I went to go check out a rebel today and as long as everything goes to plan, I should have it tomorrow. I'll get some pictures up if everything goes through. I'm pretty pumped and my cousin is thinking about getting one too.

[clipperfan811]

Re: So Out of nowhere I get this craze

You have a need......A need for SPEED.

No after my truck's 11mpg I have a need for 60mpg haha ...

A little speed wouldn't be so bad though .......and a LITTLE speed's all I'm going to get with 250cc

[clipperfan811]

Re: So Out of nowhere I get this craze

Hey guys I thought I'd update, I picked this up yesterday for $650, 86 Rebel with 22k miles. I've been riding her around the neighborhood just getting a feel. Thanks again Crimson for your advice.

<img src= "http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h36/aarmella811/CIMG5177.jpg">

[Madman55]

Re: So Out of nowhere I get this craze

Nice bike for a nice price.

[Piderman]

Re: So Out of nowhere I get this craze

I always though motorcycles looked awesome. Especially those harely davidson's. But im to much of a pansy to ever ride one.

[ChubbyBanana]

Re: So Out of nowhere I get this craze

I had an old Honda CB400 back in the day. Great Bike.

Looks like you got a nice used Rebel there. Enjoy and be careful!

[Crimsontide27]

Re: So Out of nowhere I get this craze

You will have a great time with it. Those are the same bikes we used for the Motorcycle safety course. I ride sports bikes personally, but anything with 2 wheels will be fun.

I know when I get off after a rough day at work, the ride home with the wind on the face just makes things better. Cant say Ive ever really had any negative experiences on a bike with the exception to getting stuck in traffic when its 100 degrees and your sweating your tail off....or getting stuck in bumper to bumper in the rain with no gear...that sucks too lol.

Dont under-estimate the power of the bike even though its only a 250cc, it will still go plenty fast enough to get you hurt.

You mentioned you are cruising around the neighborhood on it, so I have a suggestion. Work on building up some speed when you are going around the corners in a controlled enviroment. I have seen so many accidents where riders underestimate a turn and run of the road and wreck. Pretty much any accident that you might have a chance to avoid will be some sort of quick swerve manuver, so its great to be confident in leaning that bike over.

PS. When I mean building up speed in the corners, it doesnt necessarily mean go flying around them. The point is to get the bike going fast enough that you need to lean the bike over outside of your comfort level to get a feel on how it will react. Dont roll on the throttle while turning or you could kick your back tire out, wait till the bikes upright again.

Just something that a few fellow riders took the time to show me and I feel that it has certainly helped me when it came to cornering.

[clipperfan811]

Re: So Out of nowhere I get this craze

I feel a little more comfortable each day, I've been practicing the cornering like you suggested. Also been setting up cones for weaving and practicing U-turns. Helmet's on the way, via mail; it's a red/black full face.

Ridding to me seems to create this almost zen-like state of mind, where you're just totally in the moment and aware of everything. I'm really glad I'm enjoying it so much.